Lake Howell Makes 1st Trip To District Final

SPORTS

Lake Howell will mark Wednesday's 2-1 overtime victory over Lake Brantley as one of its greatest accomplishments in girls soccer.

But as great as the victory, it will be tempered somewhat should the Silver Hawks lose tonight in the Class AAAA, District 3 final against host Lake Mary, which defeated Lyman, 2-0.

Beverly Dickerson and Nicole Compton scored goals in the second overtime period to give Lake Howell its first berth in the district final.

Lake Howell Coach Gerhard Tauscher is not surprised his team reached the final.

''Reaching the district championship and winning it has been our goal since the start of the season,'' Tauscher said. ''We've always believed we can play with anyone. The teams in this district are so evenly matched. The level of play is intensified when they play one another.''

Tauscher said he is looking for a level of play tonight to exceed the norm.

''Lake Mary is a very strong team,'' he said. ''They have been ranked among the top three teams for most of the season.

''We've got to apply the pressure,'' Tauscher said. ''We can not sit back on defense and wait for things to happen.''

''I believe the girls know that some of our best games have come when we are pushing forward,'' Tauscher said. ''It's not always shown it on the scoreboard, but they have been our best games.''

Aggressively attacking was not an option for Lake Howell in the second 10-minute overtime Wednesday, it was a necessity.

Beth Schaefer's free kick, which deflected off a Lake Howell player, gave Lake Brantley its 1-0 advantage. Lake Howell countered when Dickerson converted a corner kick by Dawn Towle, and Compton scored on a cross from K. C. Curran.

Tauscher was proud of the way his girls forced the pressure after falling behind and he heaped praise on his defense, led by keeper Heather Brann and fullbacks Compton, Jessica Cardarelli and Michell Cook.

Lake Mary Coach Bill Eiselle said he is concerned about Lake Howell's defense, esepcially goalkeeper Heather Brann, who was credited with 14 saves against Lake Brantley.

''They've got a great keeper in Heather Brann,'' Eiselle said. ''She's the kind of keeper who wins games for a team.''

But Eissele also believes strongly in Tammy Scott, his own keeper. Scott registered her 17th shutout in the victory over Lyman.

''There was one time Lyman put two great shots at her and she took care of both of them,'' Eissele said. ''Had Lyman scored on that series who knows, what might have happened. That could have been the difference in the game.''